Know Your Rights: It’s Now Illegal for Public Employers to Discourage Union Membership

Non-Senate Faculty Contract Doles Out 5 Million Dollars in Professional Development Funds Since 2003

Fifteen years ago this July, our union negotiated a historic contract for non-senate faculty at UC. We secured unprecedented raises, the continuing appointment, layoff and rehire rights, and the Non-Senate Faculty Professional Development Fund. Since 2003, the Fund has made available five million dollars for professional activities of members of our bargaining unit…including for part-time NSF! Every year, our union locals nominate members to serve on the NSF professional development fund committees, which review grant proposals and award grants to our colleagues. Our union locals often hold events to showcase professional work funded through the grants. Get in touch with your local union leaders to find out more about our Funds cycle on your campus.

Prominent UCLA Libertarian Supports Fair Share Rights in Janus vs. AFSCME Amicus Brief
The United States Supreme Court will hear arguments on Janus vs. AFSCME on February 26. The court’s ruling in this case will decide if workers in the United States will retain fair share rights, which contribute significantly to productive labor-management relations. The right of working people to join together to negotiate fair wages, benefits and working conditions is fundamental to a fair economy and upward mobility. Check out this article on Academe Blog for current Janus v. AFSCME analysis, including commentary on a recent amicus brief filed in support of fair share rights by UCLA constitutional law professor, Eugene Volokh.

Reclaim California Higher Ed Coalition’s Response to Brown’s 2018-19 Budget Proposal
The Reclaim CA Higher Ed Coalition is committed to restoring the CA Master Plan through low or no cost tuition, expanded access for in-state students and re-emphasis on the public service mission of the University. As a member of the coalition, UC-AFT has signed onto The $48 Fix, a progressive tax increase that would very nearly restore Master Plan funding levels. This week, the coalition released its response to Governor Brown’s higher education budget proposal for 2018-19.

CFT Convention Delegate Nominations Due February23
The California Federation of Teachers Convention will be held at the Hilton Orange County in Costa Mesa, March 23-25. The Convention is open to all CFT members, which includes UC-AFT members. The convention is the Federation’s highest governance body, where delegates shape union policy and positions, elect CFT officers and delegates to the AFT and California Labor Federation Conventions. UC-AFT is entitled to send delegates to the convention. If you are interested in being a delegate or have questions, please email Miki Goral at miki@ucaft.org before February 23. For more information about the convention, go to: http://cft.org/convention-2018.

Know Your Rights: It’s Now Illegal for Public Employers to Discourage Union Membership
California Government Code Section 3550, which prohibits public employers from deterring or discouraging employees from joining a union or retaining union membership, became law on January 1, 2018. This new law is an important augmentation to the union protections in the non-discrimination articles in both the NSF and Librarian contracts. If you feel that a supervisor or manager is engaging in behavior that discourages union membership or union activity, you should get in touch with the field rep or steward on your campus right away. There is a six-month statute of limitations for addressing these violations of our union rights!